Zambian leader fires foreign affairs minister

LUSAKA. — Zambian President Michael Sata yesterday fired his foreign affairs minister, without giving any reasons for doing so, his office said. The Zambian leader fired Effron Lungu, who was appointed foreign affairs minister in February this year, according to presidential spokesperson George Chellah.The spokesperson told journalists at State House that Lands Minister Wilbur Simuusa has since taken up the position of foreign affairs minister, adding that the lands minister will be appointed in due course.

Last month, Sata dressed down the former foreign affairs minister for copying letters written to the Zambian leader to technocrats in his ministry. The Zambian leader said he does not expect letters meant for him to be copied to other people in ministries. He told the former foreign affairs minister that he has never encountered such a thing in his political career and advised him to be serious with his work.

“The letter that you wrote to me and copied to other people, I shredded it because I do not expect you to copy a letter that is coming to me,” the Zambian leader was quoted in local media.

Lungu became the third senior minister that has been fired since September 2011 when Sata won the country’s general elections. Others who have been fired include Sebastian Zulu who was justice minister and Given Lubinda who was foreign affairs minister. — Xinhua.